Phoenix Suns forward Dillon Brooks added another chapter in his rivalry with LeBron James when he was tossed for chest-bumping LeBron in the final seconds in a 116-114 loss to the Los Angeles Lakers on Sunday, Dec. 14.

Brooks has long been known as an NBA pest, trying to get into opponents’ heads in order to elicit a reaction or throw them off their game. He certainly applies that approach to James.

‘I guess he’s a social-media junkie,’ Brooks said Wednesday, Dec. 17, during his the first public comments since the ejection. ‘He be all over the socials, so he be seeing I guess what I’m saying. … Like I’ve (said) he thinks that people should think a way about him or not say nothing about him or play a certain way, and I’m not going to play that way. He gets in his moods or in his modes or whatever it is. I’m all for that.’

Brooks, who is averaging a career-high 21.6 points a game this season, also said he will learn from the ejection and try to control his emotions so he can stay on the floor at the end of critical games.

‘That’s my problem through my whole career, is I let those things happen and then I’m off the floor,’ Brooks said. ‘Then at the end of the day, how much people hate on me and say I’m not a good player and all that, but when I’m on the floor it changes the whole game.’

In Sunday’s game, Brooks had given Phoenix its final lead with his 3-pointer with 12.2 seconds left, and after falling to the ground, he got up and chest-bumped James, earning him a second technical foul and the ejection.

They’ve been playing NFL football for 106 years now and no one – not even Patrick Mahomes, Josh Allen, Lamar Jackson or Roger Staubach – has ever achieved in a game what Trevor Lawrence pulled off last weekend.

Do the math. Go back to the Papa Bear origins, when the league began in 1920 as the American Professional Football Association (APFA), and there’s been something like 88 million games, give or take a few.

Yet never until now has a player passed for 300 yards and 5 TDs, plus rushed for 50 yards with another touchdown in the same game. Sure, it was against the New York Jets. But it still counts.

No, this doesn’t mean the sizzling Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback is a “generational talent” fit to be cloned.

Generational. That’s what they called Lawrence when he came out of Clemson as the No. 1 pick overall in 2021 and, well, that description didn’t quite work out. It turned out to be the term that symbolized the prolific over-hype for Lawrence, who proceeded to take so many lumps like other human quarterbacks on the NFL learning curve.

If there’s a term that fits about now, just call him hot. Lawrence, 26, is playing the best football of his pro career. The past three games, the lanky, 6-6 thrower has tossed nine touchdowns and for the first time has gone three games in a row without a turnover. And he’s put up triple-digit passer ratings in three straight games for the first time.

Of course, it’s not just Lawrence. The Jaguars (10-4) have won 10 games for the first time since 2017 and ride into Denver with a five-game winning streak. While the defense leads the league against the run and has produced more takeaways than any team besides those pesky Chicago Bears, Trevor and Co. have gone seven consecutive games with at least 25 points.

And they’re in first place in the AFC South. Who knew?

When I visited the Jaguars in training camp, energetic new coach Liam Coen – who lasted just one season as the Bucs offensive coordinator until some people (Shad Khan, Tony Boselli) plucked him away and handed him the keys – stood on the practice field and demonstrated to me some of the mechanics key to his agenda for Lawrence. Stuff about footwork, torque and motion. I remember thinking: If nothing else, this dude will get his point across.

“Very intentional with how he talks to the staff, the players, all of us as a team,” Lawrence, named AFC Offensive Player of the Week, said during his Wednesday press fest. “You can tell it’s very directed. He knows what he wants to say and the message he wants to get across, and there’s no gray area.

“And then I’ve talked about the way he expresses himself and the passion and you can feel it coming from him, and I think that’s something that guys have really latched onto. That makes guys want to follow him because you can see it.”

Something is clearly working. In the case of Lawrence, who previously worked with Urban Meyer and Doug Pederson, the connection with Coen is increasingly showing up, too, with the nuances for managing the game at the line of scrimmage.

Coen said, “I think he’s more comfortable doing it and we’re able to attack people a little bit differently than maybe we were early on.”

Said Lawrence: “I feel like I’m seeing it really well…Guys are making plays, we’re trusting each other and it’s been fun. So, we should keep it rolling.”

The milestone game allowed fresh examples of Lawrence’s growth. Now comes perhaps the stiffest test yet as Lawrence gets set for his 75th NFL start on Sunday at Empower Field. What a reward after such a banner performance. The Broncos lead the NFL with 58 sacks, on pace to threaten the NFL record (72) set by the magnificent 1985 Bears. This underscores just how much of a hunted man Lawrence will be amid all of that noise and altitude in the Mile High City.

Jacksonville, though, comes off back-to-back games without allowing a sack and has had an NFL-high five sackless games this season.

That protection, too, is about to get a major litmus test.

“It’s not just the group up front, it’s the whole defense, every level,” Lawrence said of Denver’s unit.

Lawrence hasn’t played much meaningful football this time of year since arriving in the NFL. He won a playoff game under Pederson in his second season, but last year the Jaguars finished 4-13. His rookie year, they were 3-14.

Now the division title is in sight, with the Jaguars engaged in a three-way battle with the Texans (9-5) and Colts (8-6). Meanwhile, the Broncos (12-2) are carrying an NFL-best 11-game winning streak while trying to nail down the AFC West crown and No. 1 seed.

“Yeah, it’s a big game,” Lawrence said. “When you put yourself in position like we have and obviously like the Broncos have…every game is huge at the end of the year, which is where you want to be.”

Survive Denver and maybe another term will apply for Lawrence: street cred.

Contact Jarrett Bell at jbell@usatoday.com or follow on X: @JarrettBell

As the former winds down one process at the same time the latter gets another going, players are often left to evaluate the actual payoff from participating in the capper to the season. Opt-outs that once sparked controversy have now become commonplace, with those competing in ceremonial contests now routinely bowing out without much fanfare.

The College Football Playoff, however, provides an exception to the rule.

The expanded 12-team field has given NFL teams and fans an additional look at some of the most promising prospects for the upcoming draft. And while a sample size of anywhere from one to three additional matchups shouldn’t override a more robust body of work, the games can be important platforms for players to make a lasting impression against elite competition.

This year’s field features many of the names bound to be called on the first day of the draft. But who’s the best of the best when it comes to players eligible for the 2026 class? With the opening first-round game kicking off Friday, here’s our ranking of the top 25 draft-eligible prospects in the CFP:

Ranking top 2026 NFL draft prospects playing in CFP

1. Arvell Reese, LB/DE, Ohio State

This might have seemed like a potential reach at midseason, when Reese’s meteoric ascension was well underway. By now, the 6-foot-4, 243-pound linebacker can be classified as the top 2026 draft prospect – and the most promising one in the CFP – without raising any suspicions. Of course, he likely would need to be viewed as a full-time pass rusher rather than an off-ball linebacker to justify this ranking. But that switch is no stretch for a wrecking ball who does his best work hunting down ball carriers. The Micah Parsons comparisons are lofty but not without merit.

2. Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State

There’s nothing left to prove at this level for the Jim Thorpe Award winner, who was also a unanimous All-American as a sophomore after transferring from Alabama. Downs is one of the most complete and accomplished players in all of college football, with his sharp instincts and stellar athleticism consistently putting him in the perfect spot to stuff the run or make plays in coverage as the heartbeat of the Buckeyes’ lockdown defense. Positional value considerations might keep him out of the top five on draft day, but the best safety prospect this decade can continue to put on a showcase of what he can bring to the pros.

3. Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana

A somewhat muddled early-season outlook for quarterbacks in the 2026 class was resolved by Mendoza’s ascension from Cal transfer to Heisman Trophy winner. The 6-foot-5, 225-pound passer looked at ease throughout the season, comfortably picking apart defenses with poise and precision (71.5% completion rate). Yet he also passed two serious tests when he managed to pull things together late when facing more challenging starts against Penn State and Ohio State in the Big Ten championship game. Arm strength that falls well short of top tier and athleticism that’s merely passable prevent Mendoza from reaching a stratospheric level of pre-draft hype, but he still boasts a strong case to be the No. 1 overall selection.

4. Dante Moore, QB, Oregon

After a rocky freshman season at UCLA in which he completed just 53.5% of his passes, the former five-star recruit needed a reboot. Moore found it at Oregon, where he’s blossomed after sitting behind Dillon Gabriel last season. The 6-foot-3, 206-pounder comfortably attacked every level of the field for the Ducks, displaying an impressive command of the offense and comfort extending plays. Still only 20, the redshirt sophomore has said he’s yet to decide whether to declare for the upcoming draft. While Moore could return to school and position himself to be a contender for the No. 1 selection in 2027, he also might find it hard to pass up the opportunity to be an early selection given the shortage of first-round signal-callers in this class.

5. Rueben Bain Jr., DE, Miami (Fla.)

It was no sure thing that Bain would end up on this list after a letdown of a sophomore season, during which he was hampered by a calf injury. His junior season, however, left no doubt about his capabilities after he carved out his place as college football’s most consistent disruptor. His sack total (4½) doesn’t fully capture his contributions, as he routinely jolted linemen backward and short-circuited plays before they could truly progress. Listed at 6-foot-3 and 275 pounds, he lacks the rangy build that front offices tend to prefer on the edge. That could prove to be a sticking point for some in the pre-draft process, but it’s hard to look past his extensive production, sheer power and knack for winning leverage battles.

6. Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State

Only at Ohio State’s receiver factory could a former five-star recruit never fully command the spotlight yet end up as an early first-round draft pick. Tate never generated the headlines on a level comparable to fellow Buckeye wideouts Marvin Harrison Jr. and Jeremiah Smith, but he still showed this season how much he could offer any offense as he racked up 838 receiving yards and nine touchdowns despite not being a go-to threat. Between the ease with which he creates separation and his penchant for operating in close quarters – particularly along the sidelines – the 6-foot-3, 195-pounder figures to make himself a trusted target for an NFL quarterback in short order.

7. David Bailey, OLB, Texas Tech

The Stanford transfer was one of the keys to the Red Raiders’ roster reinvention this offseason. Bailey was one of the cornerstones of Texas Tech’s defense, racking up a Power Four-best 13½ sacks. His initial burst off the edge might be unparalleled in the class, yet he can win on more than pure speed alone thanks to an impressive arsenal of moves. His 6-foot-3, 250-pound frame might leave some teams uneasy, but he’s proven to be a surprisingly stout run defender for a player his size.

8. Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State

The 6-foot-4, 243-pound do-it-all defender has long been a tantalizing prospect thanks to athleticism that suggests he could break the bounds of typical positional work. But what set the former safety apart in 2025 was the comfort level he exhibited operating at linebacker. The son of former NFL linebacker Lorenzo Styles was seldom out of place, as his instincts and recognition skills allowed him to fully unleash his rare speed and knack for dispatching would-be blockers. He could use a little more polish in coverage in order to comfortably handle one-on-one matchups with tight ends, but he has all the tools to do so.

9. Francis Mauigoa, OT, Miami (Fla.)

With Utah’s Spencer Fano and Caleb Lomu not in the playoff, Mauigoa stands above the competition as the premier protector on this stage. The 6-foot-6, 335-pound blocker has made substantial progress – particularly in safeguarding the quarterback – since being installed as a freshman starter at right tackle. While a move inside might alleviate any concerns about his length and range, he has the tools to be an upper-echelon starter at either guard or tackle.

10. Kenyon Sadiq, TE, Oregon

The numbers might fool you when trying to assess Sadiq. Yes, he caught just 40 passes for 490 yards, which makes for a pedestrian 12.3 yards per catch average. But the tight end can be a major seam threat and rack up yards after the catch in addition to being a weapon in the red zone (eight touchdown catches). And at 6-foot-3 and 245 pounds, he might come across to some as merely a supersized receiver. That notion should be summarily dismissed, however, when one sees his impressive body of work as a mauling blocker.

11. CJ Allen, LB, Georgia

From Jalon Walker to Nakobe Dean and Roquan Smith, the Bulldogs are on a tear when it comes to producing highly productive linebackers who don’t tower over opponents. Allen hasn’t received quite the same billing as some of his predecessors, but he should find himself plenty in demand in a league that has a serious shortage of second-level defenders capable of stopping the run and holding up in coverage. While the 6-foot-1, 235-pounder isn’t quite as accomplished in the latter area as he is in the former, he’s a quick study who has all the physical tools to make a significant leap when matching up with tight ends and running backs.

12. Ty Simpson, QB, Alabama

Of all the players considered for this exercise, Simpson was the hardest to peg. Had he continued along his sizzling early trajectory, he would have been a natural candidate for the top five. But his persistent struggles in the last month – with just five touchdowns and four interceptions in his last four games – have raised serious concerns for a player who already presents a difficult profile given his lack of extensive experience. He might be better off returning to school and working on the deep passing that’s lagged so far behind his stellar play in the short and intermediate areas, but it might be tempting to seize the opportunity afforded by a thin quarterback class.

13. KC Concepcion, WR, Texas A&M

Transferring from North Carolina State served Concepcion extremely well. After averaging just 8.7 yards per catch as a sophomore for the Wolfpack, the 5-foot-11, 190-pounder was able to better display his explosiveness in the Aggies’ offense, hauling in 57 receptions for 886 yards and nine touchdowns. His additional work as a returner and all-purpose threat helped him earn the Paul Hornung Award for college football’s most versatile player. Concepcion’s limited wingspan and slight build will put him under more pressure to consistently pull away from defenders, but he looks up to the task.

14. Kayden McDonald, DT, Ohio State

In a class replete with run-stuffing nose tackles, McDonald looks to be the best. The 6-foot-3, 326-pounder has been the driving force for a Buckeyes defensive line that has given up just 84.5 rushing yards per game and 2.8 yards per carry. You won’t find him chasing down quarterbacks regularly, and he still has lapses with his pad level and hand usage that mitigate his disruption. Still, teams might place a premium on his ability to command the line of scrimmage and potentially enable them to play with lighter boxes.

15. A’Mauri Washington, DT, Oregon

After biding his time as a backup for two seasons behind a bevy of talented linemen, Washington announced his presence in a big way in 2025, setting the tone up front for the Ducks’ defense. He’ll be expected to do the same at the next level as a premier run stuffer who can also push the pocket. Washington might still be a tick behind McDonald as a truly transcendent force in stopping rushing attacks, and he similarly doesn’t offer much as a pass rusher at this stage. But the 6-foot-3, 330-pounder could become even more adept at blowing up plays in the backfield given that he has yet to fully harness considerable athleticism for a player his size.

16. Kadyn Proctor, OT, Alabama

It should come as no surprise that every element of the 6-foot-7, 360-pound blocker’s game is outsized. When things are clicking for Proctor, that means devastating blocks in the run game and erasing any threats off the edge. But his lapses also tend to be amplified, as issues with leverage and overextending can lead to big whiffs. He shook off a turbulent start to the season and was named the co-winner of the Southeastern Conference’s Jacobs Blocking Trophy. Still, regardless of how the CFP pans out, he figures to be one of the more polarizing prospects in the first-round mix.

17. Emmanuel Pregnon, G, Oregon

A two-time transfer from Wyoming and USC, Pregnon truly found his stride with the Ducks. Whether it’s paving openings in the run game or warding off interior pressure for his quarterback, the 6-foot-5, 318-pounder has proven to be a well-rounded and reliable fixture at guard, earning first-team USA TODAY Sports All-American honors. Any team in search of a punishing presence along the front could gravitate toward him, potentially in the first two rounds.

18. Cashius Howell, OLB, Texas A&M

A heightened level of competition didn’t stifle the Bowling Green State transfer, who led the SEC with 11½ sacks. Listed at just 6-foot-2 and 248 pounds with questions about his length, however, Howell might still encounter a good number of skeptics as he tries to show he can handle the next transition. He checks almost every other box as a pass rusher, though, as his quickness, fluidity and ability to take a variety of routes to reach the quarterback help compensate for his size.

19. Germie Bernard, WR, Alabama

Bernard could be this year’s Emeka Egbuka lite: a savvy receiver who wins by getting open consistently thanks to crafty route-running rather than pure speed. The 6-foot-1, 209-pounder is more imposing than the former Ohio State standout at the catch point and in the open field, though he’s not as fluid of an athlete as the Tampa Bay Buccaneers rookie. If given the opportunity, he can own the middle of the field and be a major asset to a young quarterback as a short-to-intermediate target and on jump balls.

20. Christen Miller, DT, Georgia

Whether due to lack of opportunity stemming from the Bulldogs’ rigid scheme or his own underdevelopment, Miller never broke out as a pass rusher, recording just four sacks in three years. But his work deconstructing blocks and finding his way to the ball carrier should be enough to earn him a spot in the first two rounds. The 6-foot-4, 310-pounder can be an asset on stunts while he rounds out his game by adding more moves.

21. R Mason Thomas, OLB, Oklahoma

At 6-foot-2 and 249 pounds along with arm length that will fall short of some front offices’ thresholds, he likely will only be a fit for teams running a 3-4 scheme. Still, the ascension of similarly built former Sooner product Nik Bonitto should serve as a reminder that there’s a place in the league for atypically built pass rushers with plenty of explosiveness. Thomas’ pure speed off the edge gives him an excellent starting point, but his comfort getting physical with blockers and redirecting past them makes him more than a one-note threat.

22. Monroe Freeling, OT, Georgia

Freeling hasn’t received the same level of attention as the offensive tackle prospects who have been in the first-round conversation since the spring, but he might not be far behind them. At 6-foot-7 and 315 pounds, he regularly engulfed pass rushers to help Bulldogs quarterback Gunner Stockton settle in this season. His towering frame can work against him, however, as crafty pass rushers at the next level could take advantage of his problems with change of direction. Still a junior with just 17 starts in his career, he could stand to benefit by returning to school. The CFP stage will no doubt be important for his standing after his rough outing last season in a loss to Notre Dame.

23. Matayo Uiagalelei, DE, Oregon

The 6-foot-5, 272-pounder certainly looks the part of a starting NFL defensive end. Uiagalelei moves well for a player his size and has the skill set to finish off plays in the backfield. But he might top out as a complementary piece along the defensive line rather than a focal point.

24. Carter Smith, OT, Indiana

The Hoosiers aren’t lacking for draft-worthy talent, with receivers Elijah Sarratt and Omar Cooper Jr. among those who narrowly missed this list. Still, Smith is only the second Indiana player who made the cut. The Big Ten Offensive Lineman of the Year has been a rock at left tackle, surrendering just five pressures without yielding a sack, according to Pro Football Focus. Suboptimal length and questionable recovery tools might cap the 6-foot-5, 313-pound blocker’s draft stock, but he might still be an attractive option for a team seeking stability up front.

25. Kenyatta Jackson Jr., DE, Ohio State

At 6-foot-6 and 265 pounds, Jackson challenges opposing offensive tackles to match his physicality and tenacity throughout a game – and he often wears them down. He’s not the twitchiest or most fluid threat off the edge, so his pass-rush impact will most likely be felt via hustle and clean-up work rather than quick pressures. But he’s a stout and well-rounded option for any front seeking a rugged presence.

Shaboozey, Ludacris and CORTIS will make up the NBA All-Star Weekend music lineup in Los Angeles in mid-February.

The performances will take place at the Los Angeles Convention Center from Feb. 12 to 14.

The artists will all perform on different days and serve as part of the NBA Crossover postgame concert after a day of NBA All-Star-related festivities. All concerts are included with an NBA Crossover ticket.

All-Star Weekend brings the NBA community together, with the All-Star Game serving as the focal point, with some of the league’s best players competing against each other.

The game will take place at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California.

When will Shaboozey perform at NBA All-Star Weekend?

Shaboozey, the multi-time Grammy singer-songwriter, is scheduled to perform on Saturday, Feb. 14.

Shaboozey had his breakout year in 2024 with his hit song ‘A Bar Song (Tipsy).’

“This year has been quite a ride, and closing out NBA All-Star Weekend in L.A. really feels special,” Shaboozey said in a press release provided to USA TODAY Sports. “I’m a big fan of the NBA and I can’t wait to bring my energy to such a legendary city and event.”

Shaboozey participated in the 2025 All-Star Weekend festivities, competing in the NBA All-Star Celebrity Game in February at the Oakland Arena in Oakland, California.

When will Ludacris perform at NBA All-Star Weekend?

Ludacris will perform on Feb. 13. The multi-time Grammy award winner has sold more than 24 million albums worldwide during his career and appeared in the “Fast & the Furious” movie franchise.

When will CORTIS perform at NBA All-Star Weekend?

CORTIS is a South Korean boy band that consists of five members. The K-pop band made its official debut on Aug. 18 with the single ‘What You Want.’

The group will perform on Thursday, Feb. 12.

‘It’s a huge moment for us to be the first K-pop group to perform at NBA Crossover, kicking off All-Star Weekend,” CORTIS said in a statement. “We’re grateful for the opportunity and excited to hit the stage, connect with fans up close, and officially tip off this incredible weekend.’

• The 12-team College Football Playoff has been a gift for the sport – just not for its postseason. The regular season got better.
• Expanding playoff to 12 teams increased access while retaining exclusivity. It strikes the right balance.
• College football season peaks from September through November. Maybe, that’s OK.

The 12-team College Football Playoff has been a gift for the sport — just not for its postseason.

The expanded playoff improved the regular season. More games matter.

As for the playoff? Well, if we’re willing to be frank about this, these first-round matchups mostly stink.

Two games will feature over-matched Group of Five teams as three-score underdogs. Add in a rematch of the Oklahoma-Alabama game we saw a month ago, and this lineup won’t threaten to put the NFL out of business.

To put it bluntly, this first round is set to serve one of the lamer offerings of games of this entire season.

Can we return to Week 5? Here were some of the scores involving top-25 teams that weekend:

• Virginia 46, Florida State 38 (double overtime)
• Arizona State 27, TCU 24
• Oregon 30, Penn State 24 (OT)
• Mississippi 24, LSU 19
• Alabama 24, Georgia 21
• Texas A&M 16, Auburn 10
• Indiana 20, Iowa 15
• Tennessee 41, Mississippi State 34 (OT)
• Illinois 34, Southern California 32
• Brigham Young 24, Colorado 21

That’s 10 games involving at least one ranked team that were decided by a single possession. The playoff’s first round will be a snoozer, by comparison.

College football’s regular season rules, while playoff lags behind

So, why do I consider the 12-team playoff a gift? Because, this playoff has proven to be an ideal size and shape to elevate the regular season. This bigger playoff makes conference championship weekend worse, but it made September through November better. That’s a worthy tradeoff.

As CFP stakeholders continue to debate playoff expansion formats, I have one request: Don’t ruin the regular season in the process. Don’t bloat the playoff to such an extent that USC falling at Illinois loses significance or that the outcome of BYU-Texas Tech becomes irrelevant.

Fall Saturdays filled with high-stakes tussles, that’s college football’s beauty. If improving the playoff means degrading September Saturdays, that’s simply not worth it.

I’m up for playoff formats that enhance December and January, but only if they won’t dilute October.

College football has the greatest regular season in all of sports, accompanied by an underwhelming postseason. The season peaks in November, two months before its conclusion. It’s the opposite of college basketball or the NHL, where, if you just watched the postseason, you saw what you needed to see.

In college football, if you missed the regular season, then you missed the magic.

The conference clashes, the firings and the hirings, the debates of “my conference is better than your conference,” the rankings rat race, the rivalry games consumed alongside Thanksgiving leftovers, therein resides college football’s heartbeat.

The playoff? Well, James Madison at Oregon is like being served a plastic-wrapped snack cake after a five-star meal. It’s the underwhelming dessert you’re not sure you want. Empty calories. Another bite of the main course, please.

12-team CFP bracket balances access with exclusivity

The playoff matchups should get better in the quarterfinals, and the semifinals could be a couple of doozies, but, the fact remains, we’ve been on the season’s downslope since watching rivalry games on full bellies while waiting for Lane Kiffin to award his rose.

Concerns that the playoff going from four to 12 teams would devalue the regular season were misguided. This 12-team bracket amplifies the regular season’s splendor.

The 12-team playoff increased accessibility while maintaining exclusivity. Dozens of teams enter November with a shot at the playoff, but the playoff remains selective enough that regular-season results matter greatly.

A field goal in August in Miami can be the difference between making the playoff versus howling about being snubbed.

A September trip to Champaign, Illinois, can deliver a gut punch that reverberates throughout your entire season. Ask USC.

An October loss to UCLA can be the day the canary dies in the coal mine, informing Penn State it’s not going to the playoff — instead, it’s a week away form firing its coach.

November brought together a tremendous collision of firings, hirings and playoff jockeying. Conference championship weekend was a letdown, outside of the Big Ten, but we revived to get all hot and bothered about the playoff snubs, and now … pfft, here comes a whimpering lineup of first-round games.

We’ll always have November.

This 12-team playoff didn’t solve college football’s postseason problem, but it further glorified the Saturdays that come before the unsatisfying finish.

Blake Toppmeyer is the USA TODAY Network’s senior national college football columnist. Email him at BToppmeyer@gannett.com and follow him on X @btoppmeyer.

The Chicago Bears of… Northwest Indiana? According to Bears team president Kevin Warren, that’s a real possibility.

In an open letter to Bears season-ticket holders, Warren announced that the team plans to explore an expanded search for a new stadium site after hitting a roadblock in negotiations with the state of Illinois over their current plan. That expanded search includes the 326-acre property the franchise already owns in Arlington Heights, Illinois – a 32-mile drive from Soldier Field – but it also includes ‘opportunities throughout the wider Chicagoland region,’ Warren wrote, ‘including Northwest Indiana.’

According to ESPN’s Courtney Cronin, the main issue in the Bears’ plans for Arlington Heights was over taxes and the use of taxpayer money. The Bears were seeking tax breaks and $855 million in public funds to help build the new stadium, which state lawmakers balked at, Cronin wrote.

In his letter sent on Dec. 17, Warren wrote: ‘We have not asked for state taxpayer dollars to build the stadium at Arlington Park. We asked only for a commitment to essential local infrastructure (roads, utilities, and site improvements) which is more than typical for projects of this size. Additionally, we sought reasonable property tax certainty to secure financing. We listened to state leadership and relied on their direction and guidance, yet our efforts have been met with no legislative partnership.

‘We have been told directly by State leadership, our project will not be a priority in 2026.’

Matt Hill, a spokesperson for Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker, said in a statement, ‘Suggesting the Bears would move to Indiana is a startling slap in the face to all the beloved and loyal fans who have been rallying around the team during this strong season. The Governor’s a Bears fan who has always wanted them to stay in Chicago. He has also said that ultimately they are a private business.’

The expanded search is only the latest twist in the team’s quest to build a new stadium.

The Bears initially purchased the site in Arlington Heights – the former home of the Arlington International Racecourse – in 2023 with the intention of building a new, 60,000-seat stadium on the property. In early 2024, those plans shifted when ‘negotiations over property taxes reached a $100 million impasse,’ according to ESPN.

The team revealed a new solution when it announced a $2 billion planned investment to build a new stadium on the Lake Michigan lakeshore, south of Soldier Field, with some of that cost dedicated to developing the area around it. That plan, which would have kept the Bears in Chicago proper, was scrapped ahead of the 2025 regular season as the team was unable to alleviate concerns about the ‘burden placed on taxpayers to fund the infrastructure,’ Cronin wrote.

As a result, the Bears pivoted back to their Arlington Heights plan, as Warren announced in April and doubled down on in a letter to fans ahead of the team’s first game in September. The Bears president’s more recent letter from Dec. 17 suggests that even that option could be in jeopardy.

Chicago is coming off a 31-3 win over the Cleveland Browns at home in Week 15. It’s due to play one of the franchise’s biggest games in years on Saturday, Dec. 20, when it hosts the Green Bay Packers for Week 16.

The Bears currently lead the NFC North and hold the NFC’s No. 2 seed with their 10-4 record. A win over Green Bay would push the Bears to a 1½-game lead over the Packers with two weeks to play, leaving them one win – or a Green Bay loss – away from clinching the division title for the first time since 2018.